Alexander Gardens

As a senior Move Manager here in Santa Barbara, I was invited to tour the historic Assisted Living community of Alexander Gardens. The buildings are filled with historical charm, character and smiling engaged residents. I was able to see the menu for the week. It looks delicious and nutritious. There is always some engaging activity planned. The gardens are lush and have many magical areas to sit and enjoy the sounds of birds. But I think the thing that makes Alexander Gardens stand out for me is the fact the dedicated staff and caregivers have been working there for years. It is very apparent that they are devoted to each and every resident. I will be recommending Alexander Gardens to all my clients.

Last week, Rachel and I toured Alexander Gardens with one of our clients. The home was warm and welcoming, with nicely appointed rooms. We walked the gardens and viewed a few rooms. Our client loved the feel of the community. After our tour, we sat with Diane Blair at a sunny and warm patio table and had a great cup of coffee, and learned more. Our Client was thrilled to know about Alexander Gardens for her mother! A slice of heaven, close to the mission in Santa Barbara!

I cannot speak highly enough of Alexander Gardens. From the moment my family and I walked through the doors, we were greeted with warmth and kindness. The staff is truly exceptional—warm, attentive, compassionate, and always willing to go the extra mile to ensure that my entire family feels at home and well cared for. Thank you, Alexander Gardens, for all that you do.

When we were looking for care for my father after several serious health issues, Alexander Gardens was recommended by several care givers, and for good reason. Over the past four years, I have been very impressed with the quality of care that my father has received here. The care team is very attentive with all his health needs, and engages my father in his interests and preferences. There has been very little turnover on the team during this time, and that alone is priceless, allowing me to be build trusted relationships with the staff even from a distance. The residents enjoy a homey atmosphere with fresh air, natural sunlight and activities on the beautiful grounds. Having a smaller number of residents gives me the impression that the level of care, the sense of community and staff familiarity with each individual is much higher than compared to the larger nursing locations he's stayed at. My father's geriatric doctor has remarked several times about the impressive care he receives compared to other assisted facilities in Santa Barbara. Considering there are much more expensive options in a large retirement community, his opinion ranks high for me.

A family member shared disparaging email remarks from their leadership about me because I challenged out of cycle fee increases (that breached their admission agreement) and also because I challenged their standard of care by advocating for my loved one, as a son and Trustee. Additionally, AG markets and is equipped for assisted living, but I feel they will keep residents beyond their care capacity in the interest of revenue. This is an ideal location for your loved one if you want them devoid of stimulii, alternating between sleeping and watching TV all day and if you have a high tolerance for unresponsive and unprofessional adminstrative staff. Amazingly, their hands on care staff are commendable, but overworked, and exhibit more professionalism than their management.

My grandma lives here and I feel like they care for her really well. It’s a bunch of old bungalow ranch style rooms around the property. They are clean and refreshed looking.

A family member shared written disparaging email remarks from their leadership about me because I challenged out of cycle fee increases (that breached their admission agreement) and also because I challenged their standard of care by advocating for my loved one, as a son and Trustee. Additionally, AG markets and is equipped for assisted living, but I feel they will keep residents beyond their care capacity in the interest of revenue. This is an ideal location for your loved one if you want them devoid of stimulii, alternating between sleeping and watching TV all day and if you have a high tolerance for unresponsive and unprofessional adminstrative staff. Amazingly, their hands on care staff are commendable, but overworked, and exhibit more professionalism than their management.

Our experience after one successful month: What we want most of all for our loved ones needing assisted living services is compassionate, quality care tailored to the individual. You'll find exactly that at Alexander Gardens in an incomparable setting reminiscent of a luxurious bed & breakfast lodging. No high-rise structure screaming "facility" at its residents. Instead, intimate (only a couple dozen residents), serene, peaceful setting with carefully designed activities that foster engagement without forcing it on anyone. What a find for our Mom!

EDo not let the lovely gardens and living room fool you. The care is very substandard by poorly paid, and poorly trained workers Never enough staff to assist residents who often sit for hours in wet diapers alone and isolated. My family odyssey lasted several years and went from satisfactory to, in my opinion, patient abuse. Medical mistakes and much more. Thank God we got our loved one out of there where he is thriving in another facility. A different person with the good care he now is receiving. We didn't know how bad it was until we now see him greatly improving physically and mentally in a very short time I feel tremendous guilt for not seeing how poorly he was being treated and for not taking him out much sooner. Staff afraid to complain for fear of losing job. Several remarked privately to me they "felt bad" they couldn't give better care but had too many patients. A few nice administrative types there, but obviously this is a very profitable business and that appears to take precedence over everything and in our case it resulted in very poor care.

So happy to let you in on the well kept secret in Santa Barbara. My mother and I had a wonderful experiences AGAL. Unknown to us, my mother moved in during what became her final months of her life. The gardens and rooms are filled with personality. And we could decorated and add details to my mother's studio so she felt at home. In addition, the friends she made gave her daily joy, the personalized caring staff demonstrated such flexibility so my mother felt empowered and respected, allowing her to keep her personal life style that she cherished and cultivated throughout her life. What made the experience even more fulfilling for us was the inclusive nature they all showed me personally from staff, fellow residences, volunteers, and other family members. I was always welcome at any hour and included in events at AGAL and on field trips too. Must mention the food - it is Wonderful and so Fresh - that too I was able to experience personally. My mother had many dietary requirements that changed with her medical needs and AGAL's cooks were up for all changes at a moments notice. The quality and flavor of the foods never disappointed us. My enthusiasm for AGAL will extend to my own needs when the time comes. The staff knows I want to live in their beautiful historic compound. To be able to walk to the Mission, Rose Garden Park and downtown Santa Barbara is a treat. The neighborhood is one of Santa Barbara's very finest. In the meantime I plan to volunteer there when possible just so I can continue to be surrounded by such enthusiasm for life. AGAL was the major player in the happiness we experienced in my mother's final months. I hope you to have the opportunity to experience this unique 'Bed and Breakfast' setting for senior living.

Mom has been living at Alexander Gardens for almost 3 years and we have found a "home" for our mom. She is treated with the dignity and respect she deserves at all times. When she first moved in they took care of her while I moved into her room and set it up with the movers, then they helped her acclimate. I was allowed to sleep there that night, and we discovered she got up to the bathroom and is in danger of falling at night at about 4 am. So, they began coming to her and getting her up at 3:30 am heading off any falls. She had several bad falls at night in her former home and now three years later with no falls at night it is so relieving, I cannot tell you! There are three levels of care at Alexander Gardens. She is at the lowest level, however, she has been in the hospital and returned weak after pneumonia, and was truly at a higher level of care. She was requiring assistance from chairs to bathroom and back often, and also to the dining room. We were not charged for a higher level of care and everyone that knows her reassured me that she would improve again, because they know her! She did and does not hesitate to call. She knows all her caregivers. She tells me how extra patient each one is or how long they had to wait for her in the shower. On occasion, if they notice any changes at all they call me on my cell phone. I call them and they give me an update. Sometimes she loses her phone or thinks her cell is not working right so they help her dial me and reassure her at any time. She was under 100 pounds with a bruised head, small leg wound, and hair she couldn't comb when she moved in. Now she is pink, 110 pounds, no bruises and no wounds, and it means so much to her to have her hair styled in her pretty bun every morning. As she has a new need for daily weights, the techs remember and help her to do this and pull on her tight hose every am. The medication changes are understood. She will tell you the food is good, just right, and easy to eat, and that she is slowly putting on the weight she lost. When my family comes from out of town to visit her they are warmly accommodated with a tray in the dining room and staff genuinely want to meet this extended family. She inspects the gardens daily and the gardeners are used to hearing her "tips" and which plants need special care. There are many places in the gardens to have a reflective moment. She just asked to have the hummingbird feeders filled again so she could watch from her window. No desire is too big or too small to be addressed. She never knew she could paint, but found a painting group to enjoy whenever she wants to. She gets to hear music, and as a former violinist, this is very important to her. She joins the group of residents daily for a planned activity. They are such a sweet group to be around! Everyone is cared for with their unique needs in mind. A caregiver keeps checking for needs and wheels people out for personal care and back in to join the others, or away for a nap as needed. Cheerful stimulation, memory games, and beautiful things to hear or see keep the elders intrigued. Birthdays are celebrated! Holiday fun always involves opportunities for families to be involved. Recently, they had a memorial service for one of the group who passed on, meeting their need to grieve and to have memories. I observed every staff member, from the director, assistant director, nurse, and head of patient care techs, and cooks, take time to talk to the elders, who have become part of this family. There are zero incidences of stealing, no fear that cant be expressed and managed in a thoughtful way, and each need is addressed with human kindness. The staff are taught periodically on site, and kept educated with patient care concepts. They are very quickly responsive to needs and many stay working at Alexander Gardens for years, becoming friends to my mom. We are kept aware of any changes in writing on the business side of things and have had zero errors or problems. They have often helped me with managing the long term care insurance which is so appreciated. So, how can our family express our thanks for the care my mother receives?? It is priceless. We took the time to look at every single place in Santa Barbara and Goleta and we found the very best place for Mom to live. Thank you, Alexander Gardens, your care is outstanding!

I moved in to Alexander Gardens with my husband 4 years ago. We have had consistently good care until his passing a year ago. I continue to live here in our original rooms and am very happy, hoping to last another 10 years, listening to the Mission Bells from my garden wall.

I cannot say enough to express my appreciation for the care my mother received during her stay at Alexander Gardens in Santa Barbara, CA. My mother lived at Alexander Gardens for a year and a half before she passed away and during that time all of the staff (the caretakers, administrative staff and the administrator) were caring and sensitive to meeting her needs. The staff and other residents assisted in helping my mother adjust to the new surroundings. The accommodations are pleasant, clean and fresh. The kitchen staff provided food that was creative, healthy and appetizing. The grounds are beautiful and serve as a resort oasis that provides a daily diversion for residents and a pleasant environment while they spend time with their visitors. Alexander Gardens gets an A+ rating from me.

My mother lived at Alexander Gardens for 2 years prior to her passing. The facility is lovely but more important the staff was superb. They were responsive to her needs. My husband who is an MD remarked that in all his years of practice he has not seen better care. Losing a parent is difficult but the Alexander Gardens made the process easier.

I have nothing but wonderful things to say about Alexander Gardens from the moment I walked onto the property. I visited 14 other senior living homes in the SB area for my mother and none compared to the quality of AG. Delicious home cooked healthy meals, beautiful grounds, the small number of residents provide a more intimate atmosphere and the staff is very attentive and always willing to provide an update. My mother's transition was very difficult but Jennifer maintained a very positive outlook and was able to provide us with the reassurance that everything was going to be fine. The peace of mind knowing that our mom is in good hands is priceless. Thank you AG!!

My mother has been living at Alexander Gardens for four years now and she is very happy there. She lived for a year at another smaller facility prior to moving to AG and her dementia immediately and consistently improved after moving there. She is someone who thrives with the greater stimulation that AG provides. The caregivers there are fantastic. It is no exaggeration to say that they truly love Mom and this is something money cannot buy. I have seen it happen where a resident needs to move to a smaller facility when their needs change as they decline. This is not typically an easy change but still often necessary. I am hoping that my mother can stay there for the duration. P.S. I would like to add that Jean has been nothing but kind to me and Mom. Thank you!

I am a social worker with the philanthropic arm of the California Free Masons. We are a charitable organization that assists fellow members, their wives & widows during their senior years. Recently, I was seeking short-term AL care for one of my clients in SB County, and was referred to Alexander Gardens to fill my client's needs. The facility bent over backwards to accommodate the needs of my client and the agency. The staff at Alexander Gardens was exceptional; everyone from the Executive Director, to the billing staff, nurses and social workers, the personal attendants, housecleaners and cooks. All expressed such exquisite skill and professionalism in their field. I would highly recommend this Beautiful, oasis style setting in the center of Santa Barbara to families looking for an Assisted Living facility for their loved one.

My mother recently needed to be moved to a more assisted living environment. Alexander Gardens was one referral I received from a placement agency. Definitely, don't get sucked into the "beauty of the facility". After securing a room with papers signed, & check handed over, I was told I could not move my Mother in until Monday, which was 5 days from the day they took my rent check! From this point on, I was treated with rudeness, & complete disorganization. When Monday came around, no one returned my call I had made at 9:30 AM, requesting to speak to the director, Mitch. I did not get a return call, until 3:00 PM that day, & not by the director, Mitch. Keeping me in the dark concerning moving my mother in. At this point, I realized in "NO WAY " was I going to move my mother in! Watch out for the co- director by the name of Jean! She should never be allowed to come outside her office! Rude, Crude, & absolutely incentive! If families are treated so heartless, don't expect your elderly parent to receive better! Best decision I could have EVER made, to change my decision!

Alexander Gardens is a wonderful assisted living facility. Anticipating a need to move my parents from their independent living situation, over the past year I visited many of the assisted living facilities in Santa Barbara. Santa Barbara is fortunate to have so many nice facilities for seniors. We selected Alexander Gardens as the best overall placement for my parents, taking into account quality of care, variety of activities, on-site services, no requirement to "buy in" to the facility, reasonable monthly fees given the level of services, and a beautiful setting. As is the case with most seniors, my parents were reluctant to leave their home and independent lifestyle for an assisted living environment. They now are the first to say how happy they are with their new living situation. My parents are especially pleased with the attentive, caring staff. I am sorry another Yelper reported an unpleasant experience; I have not observed any of their concerns. Instead, my parents are receiving the excellent care they deserve, and I have the peace of mind knowing Alexander Gardens is present for my parents 24/7. If you or your loved ones are looking for an assisted living facility, I highly recommend Alexander Gardens.

My mother moved to Alexander Gardens from a larger, more clinical Assisted facility in Santa Barbara about two years ago due to financial issues. Once past the initial uncertainties of changing to a new place she has adapted well and truly loves her current living situation. I have found that most reviewers on Yelp tend to be negative and in reading the reviews for Alexander Gardens I see this is also true. People like to complain. From our first visit, to the actual move in and beyond we have been treated professionally and with respect. We visited many Assisted properties in the area, from six beds to much larger facilities. All of them are expensive and have lots of paperwork to fill out and qualifications that need to be met. Alexander Gardens is no different, but they are much less expensive than many of the larger properties while administering a level of care and activities at a generally higher level than a typical "six-bed" facility. They are small enough that you can personally know all of the caregivers on the staff. From the business side, Mary and Jean were always available to answer any questions and help in coordinating all the particulars to make Mom's move as easily a possible. The Executive Director, Mitch, comes across a little like a used car salesman just after your money, but somebody has to handle the financial end of things so he really isn't any different from those in the same position at other facilities.The on-site nursing staff seems inexperienced, but she really hasn't needed their care except for administering her medications. Mom loves her room and has done a lot to make it her own. The caring staff treats her with respect and friendliness that goes beyond just doing their job. The property itself is amazing, with many walkways meandering through the beautifully landscaped grounds leading to benches and chairs under umbrellas. Mom generally likes the food and loves to socialize with the other residents, of which there are about 25 or so. As her health degenerates we will probably have to move to a more skilled type facility but for now Alexander Gardens is a perfect fit for her.